September 30, 2025 | Be God's Family
On Fame and Fortune
Scripture: James 1:9-11(NIV)
9 Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position. 10 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.
Devotional
We, in Fishers, are among the wealthiest in the world. I’m not thinking of billionaires, but compared to other countries, we are the wealthy people of this earth. During our trip to Kenya last year, we learned some families live on $150 per month. They are, however, content with God’s blessings. God is good!
When I read James 1:9-11, I think of Mark 4:18-19, “Still others, like seed sown among thorns, hear the word; but the worries of this life, the deceitfulness of wealth and the desires for other things come in and choke the word, making it unfruitful.” This one asset, wealth, no matter how vast or minimal that we have it, can cause us to trust in money vs trusting in God for our future. This passage that we can be seed among the thorns. We can fade away while the world passes us by. I don’t want to be the person that takes my faith for granted.
Pastor Mark recently compared the Easter story to a movie trailer. Are we showing up to only to hear the Word, or are we so excited about our life with God that we want to share it with the world. Is our treasure money or is our treasure the Way? What do we really get excited about?
I suggest we ask God to guide us along our way. I pray for God’s discernment that we can seek His way and be better disciples of Jesus Christ during the time we have on this earth.
Prayer: We love you Lord and we pray for your guidance, that we might make a difference for you. Amen
Poem
Counter-Intuitive Gospel
Proverbs 11
When pride comes, then comes disgrace,
but with humility comes wisdom.
The integrity of the upright guides them,
but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.
Proverbs 11: 2-3
It goes against my thinking
It goes against the grain
To seek the best for others
While I myself refrain
To love a foe who’s hurt me
A constant prayer to raise
To turn my goal from platform’s gold
Allowing others’ praise
No vengeance, I’m commanded
Leave in the hand of God
The easy, broad way to avoid
The narrow one to plod
And when I’m in the limelight
To share it with the least--
Applauding contributions
Best seat at honor’s feast
And when it comes to promises
I’m called to faithfulness
E’en when the way is rocky
E’en when a life’s a mess
It goes against my thinking
Sounds crazy in my brain
But gradually this discipline
When practiced, I will gain
